Book Reviews

Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEWS
by Marilyn Helton

"Anna was striking. At 72, she was radiant and beautiful
despite the wrinkles, the dependency on a wheelchair for mobility, and even
the recent loss of a grandchild. Her tenderness and comfort with herself
radiated to others beyond the cloak of an aging body. She did not dwell
on the fact that she was unable to keep up with the rest of the group nor
that she needed help with some of her diabetes self-care tasks. Her focus
was on living the moment, enjoying the view, and experiencing a new adventure.
Her acceptance of herself enabled her to go beyond any external limitations
and events imposed on her."

Thus begins the first chapter of "Women & Diabetes,"
written by Laurinda M. Poirier, RN, MPH, CDE, and Katharine M. Coburn, MPH.
This beautifully painted illustration of health, wholeness and
fulfillment reminds us that it is possible to live a rewarding life as a woman
with diabetes. The predominant message throughout this encouraging book is that
our state of wellness is determined by much more than the absence of illness.

"Women & Diabetes" speaks to women with any chronic
disease, and especially to those of us who face the special problems of women
with diabetes. Specifically, how diabetes (and the emotions that attend it)
can complicate a woman's other natural concerns, like PMS, lactation, pregnancy,
child raising, sex, and menopause. I especially liked the section on "Diabetes
and Your Body, Mind & Spirit," which exemplifies how to listen to your
body, as the tool you use to relate to the world; how your mind works in harmony
with your body and spirit to make sense of it all; and how the spirit in which
we feed our souls determines what frame of reference we give to our chronic
condition. Poirier and Coburn show us in detail how it's possible to become
whole, spiritually, emotionally, physically and socially, just by having to
live with the daily challenges of diabetes.
"Women & Diabetes" acquaints us, in every chapter
with REAL WOMEN who have REAL PROBLEMS. We all find bits and pieces of ourselves
in the stories of Anna, Sara, Lucy, Brenda, Dorothy, Loretta, Hannah, and more.
We are all different, yet we are all the same by virtue of our condition. By
learning to listen to our bodies, feed our souls, deal with fear, create joy
and affirm what we believe in, each reader, with or without diabetes, comes
away with a special gift for herself. Highly recommended.
"Women & Diabetes," by Laurinda M. Poirier and
Katharine M. Coburn, published by the American Diabetes Association, 1997, $14.95
($13.95 ADA members). Call 1-800-232-6733 and ask for Item #4907-01.
"Caring for the Diabetic Soul: Restoring Emotional Balance
For Yourself and Your Family," published by the American Diabetes Association,
1997. So many good books on diabetes from an emotional perspective: the thoughts,
feelings and fears that must be faced every day by every diabetic, are finally
beginning to surface in our bookstores and libraries. "Caring for the Diabetic
Soul" is one of them.
Having diabetes presents more challenges than successfully managing
your food intake. Stress, depression, parenting, self-blame, self-esteem, anger
and just plain coping with an unpredictable, yet permanent condition, makes
up the heart of "Caring for the Diabetic Soul." A quick read with
many helpful ideas for coping with the psychological challenges of the disease,
it includes a significant chapter on "Testing your Attitude" (Who
is responsible for your diabetes? Your attitude can make all the difference).
Solutions and simple exercises for relaxation are included, as well as what
to expect from a diabetic support group, and how to start one of your own.
Each chapter of "Caring for the Diabetic Soul" was
written by professionals whose lives have been touched in some way by diabetes—nurses,
counselors, professors, doctors, and parents. Their personal experiences will
touch you, too. Recommended reading.
"Caring for the Diabetic Soul," American Diabetes
Association, 1997, $9.95 ($8.95 ADA members). Call 1-800-232-6733 and ask for
Item #4815-01.
"The Diabetes Snack, Munch, Nibble and Nosh Book,"
by Ruth Glick, published by the American Diabetes Association, 1998. This reviewer
is already familiar with other cookbooks Ms. Glick has authored or coauthored,
including "100 Percent Pleasure" written with Nancy Baggett (Rodale
1994), and "Skinny Italian Cooking" (Surrey 1996). Not only were the
foods delicious, the recipes were healthy! ("100 Percent Pleasure"
was also named one of the 12 best cookbooks of 1994 by "USA Today".)
"Snack, Munch, Nibble and Nosh" features a large chapter
filled with flavorful salads, ready to grab when you need an afternoon pick-me-up.
You can prepare them ahead and keep them for several days in the refrigerator.
Glick set a goal to expand consumption of vegetables and fruits (to five a day)
by including them in a wide array of recipes throughout the book, and she has
obviously succeeded!
Judicious amounts of reduced-fat and fat-free dairy products,
such as Neuchatel (light) cream cheese, fat-free sour cream, and reduced-fat
mayonnaise are recommended in many recipes, and her recipes, using tub-style
margarine (defined as having no more than 4.5 grams of fat per tablespoon) are
delectable. The author does include recipes using sugar, honey or molasses for
sweeteners, since diabetes researchers have taken a closer look at sugars and
concluded that, when counted as part of a regular meal plan and consumed with
other foods, a moderate amount of sugar does not harm blood glucose control
in people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Other special features of the book include recipes for one or
two, as well as parties and crowds; snack ideas for hard-to-please kids (this
is a very imaginative chapter); nutrient analysis, preparation times and exchanges
with every recipe.
"The Diabetes Snack, Munch, Nibble and Nosh Book,"
by Ruth Glick, published by the American Diabetes Association, 1998, $14.95.
Call 1-800-232-6733 and ask for Item #4622-01.